Monday, February 27, 2006

I actually read a book! Well, most of one anyway. I also got some knitting done on my Falling Leaves sock, which was nice, because it's almost done. I also spent Saturday doing crosswords. I'd forgotten how much I like to do crosswords.

Work is still going well. The days are going faster and the weekends are going slower, so I think that shows some adjustment. I am also feeling like I know what I'm doing, and I must say that I think that I am quite competent at what I do.

Due to my super lazy weekend, the house is in shambles. I don't care enough to do anything about it yet.

By the way-- Where did February go? I don't think I've ever had a month go so quickly. I love being part of working society! I get a pay cheque, something to do with my days, and lots of nice people to hang out with.

I'm not sure where I was going with this entry. I hope it isn't too substance free.

Saturday, February 18, 2006

I've never knit a project of any size this quickly before. It's a baby hat for my niece. There is a baby shower for her tomorrow, and since there is no way that I'm going to finish the Matinee Coat, I figured I'd try to knit a hat in time. I had no idea that it would only take me a small part of the morning though!

Today also marks my first try at making a pom-pom. I got one of those pom-pom maker things from my parents for Christmas, and I just haven't had a chance to try it out. It's hard to find an excuse to make a pom-pom! Now I'm thinking that the cat might like one or two to play with.

Okay, back to the hat details. I didn't use a pattern, and didn't really keep track of what I did, but basically I think I cast on about 42 stitches on a 12" 5mm circular needle, and knit until I thought it looked long enough, then I decreased for a row (*k2tog, k4*), then I knit a few more rows, then *k2tog, k3*, then I knit a few more rows, then *k2tog, k2*. When there was no way that I could continue knitting on a 12" circ, I ran the yarn through the rest of the live stitches and pulled it tight. Wow, talk about detailed instructions, huh?

If your feeling a bit adventurous, you might want to tackle this hat. It's not that it's hard, you just have to trust your hat instincts, and I know that many people absolutely need a specific pattern.

The yarn I used is the pink Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky.

The cat loves my secret pal too, because she provided him a box to sleep and play in. He's still in there now. He's got the brown paper the box was wrapped in, and a bit of bubble wrap in there, and he's calling it his bed.

As you all know, I'm working on the Falling Leaves sock from knitty.com, and I've actually made some progress. I did the first half of the heel on the bus on Thursday morning, and the second half of the heel on the bus on the way home from work on Thursday night. For some reason, I had no desire to knit that sock yesterday. There was not one point where I actually wanted to even look at it. I did, however, force myself to knit a bit on the bus in the morning. I might get back to it today, but I might start to knit something entirely different. I'm getting visions of cables dancing in my head....

Thursday, February 16, 2006

I'm a bit late with this posting, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to spend much time at my computer.

When I got home from work on Valentine's Day, I had my first package from my secret pal waiting for me. Everything she sent is just amazing. Where to start? Hmmm...Let's start with the yarn. I now have two lovely skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn in Girly Stripe. It's very pretty in person, and I can't wait to knit with it. Anyone have any suggestions on a good sock pattern for two skeins of LL sock yarn?

The yarn was perfectly color coordinated with the rest of the package, right down to the box. I love boxes like that!

I'd been eyeing the Winter edition of Interweave Knits, and almost bought a copy online last week, but I'm glad I didn't, because my secret pal sent it for me. OMG! Have you seen the sock pattern in that issue?!? It's sooooo nice. I love it. Luckily, I have 2 skeins of Koigu, so I eagerly cast on and knit a few rows of ribbing last night.

I've been wanting some of those cool magnets (the ones with the glass beady stuff on top and a pic underneath). I don't think I've ever even mentioned that before, but magically, my secret pal knew my desire, and sent me some (they're the contents of the Altoids tin).

And candy! YUM!! Some Swedish Fish gummies (ya know, the red jelly ones), and Werthers chewy caramels. I love caramel! I've also been known to eat a whole bag of those specific caramels in less than one day. I've been restraining myself though, because I still have some left.

I also got a very nice note! I love thoughtful notes, they just make you feel good!

I couldn't believe my pal's perfect timing with the package, especially since there was a bit of a pink Valentines-ish feel to it.

To top it all off, I also got a Valentine's Day ecard from my pal! My pal is going all out. I only hope that my pal likes me as much as I like my pal.

On a very quick work note--

I had a really great day today. It was truly one of those "I love my job" days. Nothing really great happened or anything, I just work with really nice people, so while the actual job is far from stimulating, the environment is one of community, and I love feeling like I'm a valuable member of a community. I think that's also a big part of the reason that I blog.

Oh, and I have to tell you about the coffee I had today from Starbucks. I swear, it tasted like chocolate pudding with a hint of coffee. It was amazing!! It's the new Marble Mocha Macchiato. Normally, I would not find the coffee I drank at lunch "blog worthy", but this stuff was so good, I just had to share.

Sunday, February 12, 2006

We've got a finished Falling Leaves sock here! This is my first time doing a 1x1 rib. I always seem to do a 2x2. I don't know why, I think it's just automatic. I was smart this time, and bound off with a 3.25mm needle, so the top is stretchy enough to get over my heel.

Um, I think I've given all the sock specs in my last few posts, so take a look there for all the info. I don't want to get to repetitive :)

I've got to cast on for the second one today, so I have knitting to do on the bus and on my breaks, but I'm feeling tempted to cast on for a totally different pair. I've got some lovely Koigu staring me in the face. I didn't realize how lacking Koigu was in yardage before I bought it, so I only have 2 skeins in each of 2 colors. Does that make sense? 4 in total. 2 colors. Yeah, I think that makes sense. Anyway, I was thinking of doing a toe up short sock or something. I haven't totally decided.

I am totally craving knitting books right now. I just want to buy and buy and buy, but I've been good, and haven't bought anything. I still haven't got my first pay cheque and my credit card bills are huge, so I'll have to hold off for a while yet.

I think I'm going to distract myself by making a heart shaped chocolate cake, using my new Tupperware heart-shaped silicone cake thing. Do you know that I didn't used to like chocolate cake? I couldn't stand it, and wouldn't eat it under any circumstances. Actually, at one point I had a boyfriend who actually cried because I wouldn't have any chocolate cake. Seriously! I couldn't believe it. That wasn't even his worst quality. Hopefully you can have a laugh at the thought of that.

Saturday, February 11, 2006

When I wake up an there is blue sky and the sun is shining, I always seem to get the Mr. Rogers theme song stuck in my head. It doesn't really bother me anymore, it just adds to the sunshiney happiness.

Boy am I glad it's Saturday! Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but a girl needs a Saturday, and I think I was ready for mine on Tuesday. I'm quite proud of myself for getting through the week. Apparently, I'm doing such a good job, that the "higher ups" want me to start training on computer stuff, so I can enter stuff in. Originally, they weren't going to train us on that, but we've caught on so quickly to everything else, that they don't want us to get bored and leave. Isn't that great? One of my bosses came down to tell us that yesterday morning, and I have to say that I was really excited. I'm considering it a promotion. 3 weeks and a promotion. Do you believe it? Unfortunately the pay isn't any better though. I've heard that it's usually 6 months, then a raise. That would be good.

Just to let you know, the co-worker I was talking about before, and I are working really well together now. We make a great team. I'm so glad that we can work together in a super productive way.

Since Fridays are casual, I decided that I needed a nice pair of jeans (instead of my too short and worn out ones), so I went to the Gap after work on Thursday, and found two pairs that I really liked. By the way, I've dropped a whole size and a bit since I started working. Working is so much better than school! So, I now have awesome jeans, and I have to say that I looked totally hot yesterday.

Ok, so there has been some knitting going on this week. On Sunday, or was it Saturday night, I cast on for another pair of Falling Leaves socks from Knitty.com, and I've been working on them on my breaks and on the bus all week. I wanted to take some good progress pics this morning, but my camera battery died, so the pics aren't fabulous. I'll share this one with you anyways, because it give an idea of how much I've gotten done.

I'm really happy with them so far, because they fit perfectly, and they are such a pretty color. Mmmm....Sunshine Yarns....

Anyway...I'm hoping to finish them off today, but I have a ton of housework to do today, so it may not happen. The only housework I've done in the last three weeks is clean the tub, and I swept the kitchen floor this morning. Amazingly, the house doesn't look that bad.

Sunday, February 05, 2006

I was over at Scout's new blog this morning, and she has had a really great idea! She's proposing a Super Bowl Sunday Knitting Challenge, where you take a pic of your knitting before the Super Bowl starts, and then take another pic tonight to show your progress. Head over to her blog and check it out. Isn't it a great idea?

It's a good thing that I started another sock last night. The picture to the left is my progress so far.

I try not to knit the same pattern twice, because there are so many fabulous patterns out there, but I've broken my own rule, and I'm knitting Falling Leaves again. The lace is so pretty and easy, and I wanted something simple enough to knit on the bus without screwing it up.

I keep telling myself that this isn't really knitting the same pattern again, because I gave away the first pair to Ariane in the Holiday Knit Sox Exchange that she hosted.

The yarn I'm using is so pretty. It's more yarn from Dani at Sunshine Yarns. Of all the yarn I bought from her, this stuff is my favorite. The colorway is called "Figi". I'm also using 2.5mm needles, and of course the magic loop technique. I've changed the toe from the pattern though, and I've used the Turkish Cast on with instruction from the Fall 2005 Vogue Knitting. The upside of this cast on method is that there are no holes on the sides of the socks like there were with the original pattern.

I cast on 16 (per side), so 16 loops, and increased (k f/b) on the first and last stitch on each on every row for 4 or 5 rows (I can't remember exactly), and then did my increases on every second row til I had 36 stitches on each side. This is a really great alternative.

Friday, February 03, 2006

Even without knitting very much in the evenings at home, I managed to finish the second Jaywalker in 2 weeks. I know it sounds like a long time, but really, I only knit on my lunch break (and not even the whole thing), and on the bus on the way home.

I was worried they'd be a bit tight, but they're not. They are just perfect.

I actually finished them last night at about 10:30, but it was too late for pics, because I was supposed to be in bed by 10, for 8 hours of sleep. You understand.

These Jaywalkers were knit with Sunshine Yarns sock yarn in Winter Berry. They're 100% merino, and very soft. I used the magic loop with a 2.5mm needle and a 32 inch cord.

Well, I didn't manage to get a "J" for the Sock-A-Month Knit Along, but these will be my "F" socks. That doesn't make them sound like very good socks does it?

Today marks two full weeks of working! I love that I still really like my job. The time goes quickly and I'm rarely bored.

Fridays are all that much sweeter now that I have to work Monday to Friday. I think this schedule suits me quite well.

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

I can't believe it! I've never had a job that I've actually enjoyed doing before, but I have one now. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of energy, so there's not much knitting going on, but I am so glad I like it.

I got some comfy shoes on Saturday, but haven't had a chance to properly test them at home yet, so I haven't worn them to work. My feet are less sore everyday, so I guess I'm adjusting.

So, I didn't get my second Jaywalker done in time for January, but I'm just about to start the toe decreases. It's really dark right now, so I don't want to take a pic, but look forward to one soon.

I'm hoping that once I adjust a little more that my blogging will return to normal. I'm guessing that everyone hopes that!

It's felt like a Tuesday all day today, and I'm so happy it's Wednesday, because it's only one more day til I get to wear jeans and runners to the office. YAY!! I still need to expand my work wardrobe, because I'm still struggling to find something to wear to work, but hopefully that'll happen soon.